Darlene Y. Mardino

From an early age, it was apparent that her love for Jesus and her love for others would define her life. She would walk to the Methodist church in Dayton every time the doors were open, with or without her parents. Her work ethic began at age 8 when she would babysit to raise money to buy her school clothes. At age 16 she married her teenage sweetheart, Robert A. Mardino, when she started working at Hartman’s bakery. It wasn’t until she was 21 that she would follow in her parents’ footsteps and work for 20 years at Knowles and Fisher machine shop in Gowanda on Industrial Place.

Darlene was an excellent cook who embraced the Italian heritage of her husband who she married as a teenager. It didn’t matter who you were when you shared a meal with her. Escaping from the dinner table without a second helping was virtually impossible. It was more than the great food that would bring you back, it was the hospitality, the love, and the laughter you received during your encounter with Darlene, that kept you going back. On July 1, 2024, Darlene and Robert Mardino celebrated 67 years of marriage. Her most fulfilling job came as a wife and mother. They had four daughters Victoria (George) Greene, Angie (Bob) Mardino-Miller, Ruth (Jerry) Rogers, and Darlene (Bill) Stark. She often talked about how proud she was of her daughters. In addition, Darlene had ten Grandchildren: Vinnie (Sarah) Richter, Tony Richter, Shawn Rogers, Becky (Josh) DeGolier, Russell Stark, Justin Greene, Krissa (Kevin) Bailey, Heather (Brad) Mohawk, Stephanie Stark, Robert (Courtney) Stark. Also, Darlene had twenty-one Great-Grandchildren: Dylan Richter, Dustin (Anna) Stark, Ashley Kramer, Jaiden Miller, Jessina Miller, Dalton Richter, Hayleigh Hooper, Nathan Hooper, Bella DeGolier, Jenelle Bailey, Alivia Richter, Benny York, Sophia DeGolier, Jayci Bailey, Gavin York, Janalyn Bailey, Claire Greene, Karson Mohawk, Clarice King, Julian Bailey, Emma Richter. Additionally, she had two great-great-grandsons, Adam Stark, and Noah Stark.

Without a doubt, BINGO was her favorite pastime, and often she was looking for a BINGO partner. Her purse was always filled with Wrigley spearmint gum, when you were with her she’d offer you some at least once. With style, it was charming to watch her snap her gum. Darlene also loved to sing and dance; many of her grandchildren have fond memories of singing with her. Interestingly enough, she had a different favorite song for many of the children. Her ice cream rides were unpredictable, you never knew where you were going or when you’d be home, but you were assured you’d have Perry’s ice cream along the way. Parker House was her favorite. Darlene’s freezer had several flavors of Perry’s ice cream on hand at all times and If you mentioned a flavor you liked by the next visit you knew it would be there. Lay’s potato chips and Bison chip dip were a staple at her house, and you couldn’t have chips and dip without the Pepsi. Her house was a whimsical place to visit at CHRISTmas time. You could see her house from a block away. Her lights were spectacular! She extended her love for CHRISTmas by often adding to her daughters’ CHRISTmas collections. Darlene didn’t stop there, her entire family would decorate a trailer with a CHRISTmas scene, lit by a generator, pulled by her husband, followed by many carloads of her family, going house to house to the elderly, and the shut-ins bringing cookies and singing CHRISTmas carols.

Her life was full, she never missed a chance to play a game of cards. Her card games were legendary, golf, pinochle, rummy, and Euchre. It was an assurance the card table was filled with great excitement and competitiveness every time. She loved her game shows, and “The Price is Right” was among her favorites. She even went to California one time to be on the show.

You could see her true heart and love for others when you watched her around Decoration Day, she would spend days shopping for perfect flowers for the 20+ family grave sites she took care of every year. Darlene’s journey ended at Mercy Hospital after a 9-day stay, she was surrounded by family, love, and singing all of her favorite songs, sung by 16 of her family members.

Besides her parents, Darlene was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Jerry Rogers, her sister, Dorothy Martini, and her brother, Ronald Morley.

Darlene was part of seven generations raised in Dayton. She was a member of the Dayton Historical Society. She was a member of the Methodist church for many years until 2014 when she became a member of The Master’s Plan Community Church.

Send memorials and donations in Darlene’s name to The Master’s Plan Community Church, or The Dayton of Historical Society,

Friends may call on Monday, September 16, 2024 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm from Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 105 East Main St. in Gowanda. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 11 am from the funeral home. Burial will be in Jolls Cemetery.